You've definitely got the fenders from the heavier trucks (F2-6) with the larger wheel openings. The larger opening just exacerbates the height issue. Other than that, your truck looks pretty good, actually. If the frame swap was done well, and it runs and drives like it should, it's probably not worth messing with. Finding correct F1 fenders will help the overall look a lot.

 

Is a F2-6 fender wider than a F1? That might explain why previous owner went with them. Since the 86 frame is wider, it may have helped keep the wheels inside of the fenders.

 

Nope. The F3 fenders I have, are the same width as F1 fenders. But the wheel arch/opening is bigger.
​​​​​

 

Thanks, I cannot figure out why he had larger truck fenders. No doubt, getting the right fender will make my truck look better. Can anyone send me a picture with the larger truck (f2,3, or larger) so I can make a side side comparison. Also anybody ever install DMJ Dream Beams on a later model truck with twin I Beam suspension. Thinking of going that route in stead of a frame swap out.

 

I pulled this from my pictures, but if you look at the body lines, the wheel arch is above the body line (F2, F3 green fender)
The F1 fender (purple fender) the top of the wheel arch is more in line with the body line.

 

Another identifier is where the lower fender meets the upper fender. The seam in the F1 fender is longer, where it angles perpendicular to the arch, if that makes sense.

 

Thanks, my fender looks just like the green fender.

 

Yes it does. Hey welcome to the forum! Your truck doesn't look bad to me really. We have seen some doozies before! I guess the previous owner did find this forum before they set out to frame swap!
You won't find a better source of quality information out there!

 

Just my 2¢-worth. I'd put money on the large front fenders being needed for the centreing issue. With the front axle being a little forward of the arch centreline, if you put F1 fenders on, I wonder if the tyres will catch on the front of the arches? Remember that when applying right lock, the left front wheel with arc forward slightly about the vertical axis, pushing the wheel/tyre even further forward. And vice versa on the other side. A huge arch solves any clearance issues...

 

I think you are right. The PO put the F3 fenders on because the front wheels were not centered. I have decided that my best approach is to try and lower the truck. I am thinking of purchasing Dream Beams which will take the place of the twin I beams. They are advertised to lower the front 3 inches. I can put a flip kit in the rear to level it out. I guess I will have to live with the F3 fenders and the wider stance.

 

I think the huge opening is because instead of letting the frame arch over the rear wheels intrude into the bed, he raised the entire body so the bed cleared the arch in the later frame. The larger F-2/6 fronts have the wheels in the same location as the F-1 fenders.

 

I think that is a sensible approach. After it has been lowered in the front you can look further to see if F-1 fenders might work.

 

After the ride height is settled, instead of swapping out the fenders, it may be beneficial to look into altering the wheel opening in the existing fenders to fit the needs of the truck for centering, clearance, etc., while making the space look more balanced. The process would not be much different than replacing patch panels.